Although city living has advantages, many urbanites travel outside the city limits to get fresh air and their daily dose of greenery. Vertical gardening offers a space-saving solution. They are practical, attractive systems that are good for the environment. Learn more about how this innovative gardening style benefits urban landscapes.

Benefits of Vertical Gardening in Urban Landscapes

Vertical gardens maximize space. You can grow them on balconies or patios, in living rooms or kitchens. Because people and buildings densely pack urban environments, vertical gardens offer a perfect solution for environments without much open land.

Studies suggest plants may have a positive effect on stress, and — in addition to benefiting emotional well-being — they absorb pollutants and release oxygen via photosynthesis. They also promote biodiversity by housing and feeding wildlife.

Because cities have less vegetation and more paved surfaces and buildings, there is less cooling shade and moisture. In the daytime, metropolitan areas are around 1-7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in temperature than their rural counterparts. Vertical gardens reduce this effect by providing shade and reducing temperature.

The Best Types of Vertical Gardens for City Dwellers

From a tower structure to a living wall, there are several types of vertical gardens.

Tower Gardens

Tower gardens are stacked structures typically made out of wood, metal, plastic or fencing. They can be either aeroponic or hydroponic. Both types use substances like clay pellets instead of soil to provide root support, but an aeroponic tower uses nutrient-rich mist sprayed onto the plant roots. You can use normal watering methods for a hydroponic tower.

Some consider the aeroponic structure more advanced because it requires more monitoring. Tower gardens are great for maximizing vertical space, making them ideal for city apartments.

Stackable Planters

Stackable planters make changing up your garden’s layout easy. You can buy a pre-arranged stackable planter and reorganize it according to the season or your aesthetic preference. This vertical garden layout makes the most of small spaces and is simple to set up.

Wall Garden

The classic wall garden looks beautiful and has all the typical environmental and space-saving benefits of a vertical garden. There are two types — living walls and walls using modular systems. In a living wall, plants grow directly on the wall structure. With a modular system, the vertical garden consists of interchangeable units that are easy to assemble.

Hanging Gardens 

Hanging gardens feature plants hung by chains, ropes, or hooks and suspended from a wall-mounted frame or ceiling. Cascading plants like vines or ferns work especially well for hanging gardens.

This is the biggest space-saving vertical garden type since it doesn’t take up an inch of floor space. If you choose to install a hanging garden, make sure you consider water drainage and weight distribution.

Trellises

Trellises are among the most common vertical garden structures. You can build or purchase a freestanding trellis or one that uses another object — such as a fence or wall — for support. These are designed for the outdoors, though, so while they don’t work in all urban residences, they’re a great option if you have a small garden or side yard.

Arches 

Like trellises, arches require outdoor space. You can use a singular, stand-alone arch or create a large arbor if you have the space and want to create a shaded walkway.

Gutter Gardens

Gutter gardens are perfect if you love DIY projects. Take regular rain gutters and lay them out in a horizontal or zigzag pattern. A zigzag shape will make it easy for water to flow from one row of plants to another. Consider the depth of your gutters, as it will decide the maximum height for your plants.

Photo Frame Planters 

Succulents are a popular choice for wall-mounted photo frames. You can build your own, purchase new ones or use some you already have. Repeat the same frame type for a clean, organized look or get creative with mismatched ones for a more eclectic vibe.

Plastic Bottle Planters 

Plastic bottle planters are low-cost and a fun project for the whole family. You just cut the bottoms off a few bottles, fill them with soil and hang them upside down along a wall. Since most are relatively small, remember that this type of vertical garden works best for smaller plants like herbs.

Pallet Wall Garden

These gardens are great for beginners because they’re easy to build. Choose a durable material like cedar wood — it’s rot-resistant and lasts almost 15 years untreated.

Choosing the Right Plants for Urban Vertical Gardening

Some plants grow better than others in a vertical garden. Cucumbers, tomatoes and strawberries tend to grow better vertically than root vegetables that need deeper soil pockets. If you’re planting on a trellis or arbor, honeysuckles, morning glories and other climbing plants are great options.

If you’re just starting your vertical gardening journey or prefer a low-maintenance plant, succulents are a great option since they need little water. Ferns and mosses do well in shadier spaces, making them a great choice if you have less direct sunlight. Leafy greens like lettuce, herbs, basil and thyme also do fine in partial shade, whereas strawberries and tomatoes need more sunlight.

7 Vertical Gardening Maintenance Tips

Once you’ve found the best vertical structure and plants for your urban space, the next step is maintaining it. Knowing how to water, light and keep your garden pest-free will give you beautiful plants year-round:

1. Install an automated watering system for a hands-off watering solution.
2. Use drip trays to catch excess water and protect your walls and floors from damage.
3. Use LED grow lights for areas with limited sunlight.
4. Position your garden near a window.
5. Rotate plants that bloom in different seasons and mix in evergreen plants.
6. Track the sun’s annual path to see how your garden’s access to sunlight will vary.
7. To prevent pests and fungus, use natural repellents like neem oil and clean your garden seasonally.

Try These Creative Vertical Gardening Ideas 

Vertical gardening is an environmentally friendly solution to the limitations of small urban spaces. It offers beauty, sustainability, and even nutrition if you grow fruits or vegetables. Get creative by playing with plants of different textures, colors and heights. A vertical garden is a work of art, and you’re the artist.